What we’re about
Austin Sierra Club (local branch of the Sierra Club) holds outings for outdoor activities: hiking, camping, biking, backpacking, kayaking, community service projects, and more. These include local one-day events to greenbelts and natural areas, weekend trips to state parks, as well as longer trips to national parks.
All participants must sign our Sign-In Sheet with Participation Agreement before joining one of our outings. You are strongly urged to add your cell phone and emergency contact numbers on the sheet, for your safety. More information is needed for overnight trips.
Many of our events are rated Easy and everyone is invited to particiate, but others have fitness and experience requirements. Smoking and vaping is not allowed on our events. Check with the Leader to see if pets are allowed.
Although it's not necessary to participate in our events, we encourage you to join the Sierra Club (in addition to the Meetup group), and support our efforts to protect the environment.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Mueller healthy dinner walkNorthwest Greenway, Austin, TX
Join us on an easy-paced 5 mile walk through the Mueller neighborhood . The route will be on flat, hard-packed trails and city sidewalks, and take us past a restored Texas blackland prairie, several ponds, and along the Northwest and Southwest Greenways. We will stop for a healthy dinner toward the end - Bring cash / card. Those not stopping will need to walk a half mile back to the start on their own (or in an informal group).
OK to bring a well-behaved pet on leash, if not dining. If problems arise you and your pet will need to depart from the group.
Participants must sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020 .
If not already a member, we encourage you to join the Sierra Club (not just the Meetup group) and help us protect the environment and our democracy.
- Sierra Club July General Meeting: Geothermal EnergyEl Mercado- South Side , Austin, TX
Join us at our monthly General Meeting for socializing, networking, and engagement on environmental topics of local interest.
Our July gathering features UT's Dr. Ken Wisian speaking on the topic of Geothermal Energy. Arrive as early as 6pm at El Mercado (1302 S 1st St) to purchase food and drink. Club updates and program starts promptly at 7pm.
Geothermal Energy
Owing to technological advances pioneered by the oil and gas industry, geothermal energy has emerged -- after a long dormancy -- as a leading source for future electricity generation. These advances break the conventional geothermal paradigm focused on natural hydrothermal systems, and, in turn, open up non-tectonically active areas such as Texas to geothermal development.Geothermal power has many advantages including: low/zero carbon output, small footprint, resilience, reliability, and dispatchability (lack of intermittency). Join us to find out how and why Texas has become the epicenter of new geothermal development!
As Associate Director of UT Austin's Bureau of Economic Geology, Dr. Ken Wisian leads the Bureau's geothermal research. He is also the Associate Texas State Geologist.
Can't make this event but still keenly interested in the topic? No worries... look for a recording of Dr. Wisian's presentation posted to the Austin Group's YouTube channel within about one week.
- Hike Chalk Ridge FallsChalk ridge falls park, salado, TX
Let's hike along the Lampasas river for about 1.5 miles to Chalk Ridge Falls and back for a total distance of 3 miles. It's mostly level and shady. Afterwards, we'll go into Salado for lunch and beverages at Barrow Brewing Company. https://barrowbrewing.com. They don't serve food, but there are food trucks on the property that serve sandwiches.
This will be an easy "stop and look" hike.
Dogs are okay if on a six foot leash.
Bring a hat, water and light colored clothing to be prepared for the heat and humidity.
From Austin, it'll take about an hour to get there. It's about 60 miles from downtown Austin. Take IH35 north past Salado and then take 2484 west to 1670. Take 1670 north to the turnoff to the parking lot at the park.
Carpooling is encouraged. Contact other attendees to carpool with. The Sierra club does not offer carpooling.
Participants will sign a Liability Waiver at the trailhead. You may view the waiver document here: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
- Selah, Bamberger Ranch TourBamberger Ranch Preserve, Johnson City, TX$30.00
Tour fee of $30.00 . You must pay in advance by credit card to be included in this tour. The link to the Bamberger Ranch payment system is: https://buy.stripe.com/7sY4gAgGheZ452z2dUbbG04
CANCELLATION POLICY: Tours of Bamberger Ranch Preserve occur rain or shine. The only exception to this is lightning. Bamberger Ranch Preserve staff will watch the weather forcast, but it's very rare that they have to cancel. They are happy to refund money if you change plans, but there are still transaction fees, so they very much appreciate folks sticking to their plans unless they have serious extenuating circumstances.
Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve is a 5,500 acre private ranch in Blanco County that has been restored to its original habitat, with a mission to teach ethical land stewardship-by example and outreach. Sierra Club members will be treated to a private tour of the ranch. During this 4-hour tour (9:00a.m.-1:00PM) of the ranch, you will see the results of over fifty years of habitat restoration. Our guide will show us projects which demonstrate principles of sound land stewardship.
You may also see dinosaur tracks, fossil beds, a herd of endangered scimitar-horned oryx, and the "Chiroptorium"- a man made bat cave designed to house one million Mexican free-tailed bats. You'll walk the nature trail and then enjoy Madrone Lake as you learn about "The Rain Machine."
Transportation at the ranch is on the Bluebonnet - an open-air trailer with a shade bonnet. Please dress for the weather and don't forget a hat!
Carpooling is highly encouraged! Potential carpoolers, please write a note in comments with your detailed location and organize amongst yourselves.
Start time for the tour is 9:00a.m., but please arrange to arrive at the parking lot 15 minutes before start time to be certain not to miss your ride on the Bluebonnet. The parking area is a clearly marked, freshly mown grassy area not far past the open gate where you enter the Bamberger Ranch. We will gather at a headstone under the trees where Bamberger Ranch guides will meet us. We will have an Igloo cooler full of ice water on the Bluebonnet, so if you bring your reusable water bottles, you can refill whenever you like. You may bring your own trail snacks, sunscreen and whatever you need to be comfortable. There will be a restroom stop on the tour in an air-conditioned building with flush toilets. NO PETS, PLEASE.
After the tour we will have an optional lunch/meal at the Redbud Cafe in Blanco, Texas. They have a great menu, and cash or credit card payment is accepted.
Please be sure to reserve a spot on Meetup.com and make your payment to Bamberger Ranch to be included on this tour.
